Apparatus and method for improving air quality in street canyons

Abstract

A double skin façade (DSF) for a building is disclosed. The DSF has a first façade, a second façade, and a gap extending therebetween. Movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward an upper end of the DSF, causing movement of air contaminants from a lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, and thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building. Also disclosed is a building having a DSF, and a method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon by constructing a DSF on a building.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of enhancing air quality in a street canyon, comprising:
 constructing a double skin façade (DSF) on a building, wherein the DSF comprises:
 a first façade; 
 a second façade facing and substantially parallel to the first façade; 
 an upper end and a lower end; 
 a gap between the first façade and the second façade extending from the lower end to the upper end; and 
 at least one mechanical ventilator positioned adjacent or near the upper end of the DSF; and 
   causing the at least one mechanical ventilator to be in an operational mode, whereby movement of air is driven in an upward direction toward the upper end of the DSF causing movement of air contaminants from the lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, thereby enhancing the air quality of the street canyon by removing air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mechanical ventilator is a fan. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the street canyon has an aspect ratio of at least about 1.0. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the street canyon has an aspect ratio of at least about 1.5. 
     
     
         5 . A building having a capability of enhancing quality of the air adjacent the building, the building comprising:
 a double skin façade (DSF), wherein the DSF comprises:
 a first façade; 
 a second façade facing and substantially parallel to the first façade; 
 an upper end and a lower end; 
 a gap between the first façade and the second façade extending from the lower end to the upper end; and 
 at least one mechanical ventilator positioned adjacent or near the upper end of the DSF; and 
   wherein when the at least one mechanical ventilator is in an operating mode, the at least one mechanical ventilator drives movement of air in an upward direction toward the upper end of the DSF causing movement of air contaminants from the lower end of the DSF to the upper end of the DSF, thereby enhancing the air quality adjacent the building by removal of the air contaminants from a street level adjacent the building.   
     
     
         6 . The building of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one mechanical ventilator is a fan. 
     
     
         7 . The building of  claim 5 , wherein the street canyon has an aspect ratio of at least about 1.0. 
     
     
         8 . The building of  claim 5 , wherein the street canyon has an aspect ratio of at least about 1.5.